Development and Infrastructure

Service

Seirbheis an Leasachaidh agus a’ Bhun-structair

Highland Forest and Woodland Strategy

Ro-innleachd Choilltean na Gàidhealtachd

November 2018

www.highland.gov.uk

The HFWS has been prepared by the Highland Council with the assistance of GR Forestry Consultatncy and CJ Piper & Co Chartered Foresters, GIS support from AM Geomorphology

and Forestry Commission Scotland and in consultation with a range of statutory agencies and forestry sector stakeholders inculding the Highland and Islands Forestry Forum.

Forestry in Highland - as in Scotland generally - is a success story. Scotland’s forestry sector as awhole is estimated to contribute £1 billion a year to the Scottish economy and support 25,000 FTEjobs in forestry-related businesses.

Highland’s forests, woodlands and trees should be regarded as one of its most highly prized naturalresources and those which deliver a wide range of economic, social and environmental benefits,from access and recreational facilities, opportunities to promote and encourage health and wellbeingto the protection and enhancement of its biodiversity - including the restoration of some of themost iconic ancient native woodland landscapes. In addition, by capturing carbon and helping toprotect Highland’s infrastructure by stabilising soils and regulating water flows, forests, woodlandsand trees also play a vital role in helping to meet Scotland’s climate change targets.

As well as being home to many cutting edge wood processing, harvesting, haulage and sustainableconstruction businesses that have seen considerable growth and gained significantly in reputationover the past few decades, Highland is also proud to host the Scottish School of Forestry as a hubfor forestry education, training and skills development. The forestry sector in Highland has alsoplayed a crucial role in driving forward improvements in integrated land use, land reform andcommunity empowerment.

At the time of developing this Strategy, which sets out the future direction of travel for the Highlandforest and woodland resource, forest industries generally - both here and throughout Scotland -are nonetheless facing a challenging period of transition. The sustainability of the sector’s successstory is coming under threat by the decline in planting of productive woodlands which will affectcontinuity of future timber supplies and investor confidence. Furthermore, the implications ofBREXIT for the forestry and timber sectors will, whilst difficult to predict, undoubtedly involveadjusting to both the challenges and opportunities of operating outside the Common AgriculturalPolicy.

Notwithstanding these challenges, as the largest local authority area in the UK and custodians ofan outstanding natural environment and vibrant forest industry, Highland Council has an importantstrategic role to play, along with its public and private sector partners, in supporting and maintaininga positive environment for the forest and woodland resource to expand, integrate and thrivealongside other key industries.

Through this refreshed Highland Forest and Woodland Strategy, the Council welcomes theopportunity to play its part in supporting the achievement of the Scottish Government’s strategicthemes, as set out the Scottish Forestry Strategy, alongside national targets for woodland expansion,as reflected by its own vision, priorities and objectives for Highland’s forests and woodlands. TheCouncil will promote the expansion of productive and native woodland and high quality sustainableforest management in Highland. This will in turn enhance the natural environment, secure andcreate more jobs, stimulate investment and longer term industry confidence whilst striving toimprove the infrastructure necessary to support them.

Highland Council’s intention is that by helping to steer new planting to the most appropriatelocations and guide the restructuring of forests and woodlands, the refreshed Highland Forest andWoodland Strategy will continue to support the enhanced integration of forestry with other landuses and ensure that the uptake of funding for woodland expansion is appropriately targeted.

iHighland Forest and Woodland Strategy The Highland Council

Foreword

The 2018 Highland Forest & Woodland Strategy (HFWS) is one of a series of Supplementary Guidancedocuments prepared by The Highland Council to support its Highland-wide Local DevelopmentPlan (2012).

Whilst essentially a refresh of the ‘Highland Forest and Woodland Strategy’ produced in 2006, thisupdated HFWS has been prepared against the backdrop of significant changes in the national andregional policy context and regulatory frameworks for forestry and wider land use, together withnew priorities, challenges and opportunities facing the industry that have come to the forefrontover the past decade. It presents the key issues, challenges and opportunities, together with arefreshed vision, strategic aims and objectives for the future expansion and stewardship of theHighland forest and woodland resource and associated industries over the next 20 years. Onceapproved, the HFWS will be reviewed on a 5 yearly basis.

At the broadest strategic level, the purpose of the HFWS is to provide a regional expression of howthe national vision and priorities for the protection and expansion of Scotland’s forest and woodlandresource - as set out in the Scottish Government’s Land Use Strategy for Scotland (2012), ScottishForestry Strategy (2006) and other related Strategies - will be achieved within the context of theHighlands. More specifically, the purpose of the HFWS is to provide Highland Council with theframework for consulting on applications for grant support for woodland creation and managementin support of the existing regulatory and environmental protection processes, most notably theUK Forestry Standard.

As a regional reflection of the Scottish Forestry Strategy, and drawing on consultation with a widerange of stakeholders including the Highland and the Islands Forestry Forum, the HFWS sets outthe important roles that forestry will continue to play in delivering a wide range of sustainableeconomic and rural development, environmental, social and community benefits across Highland.

In accordance with Scottish Government Guidance a Strategic Environmental Assessment andHabitats Regulation Appraisal are underway and will inform the HWFS.

Achievement of the Strategy’s vision is based around eight key themesthat not only cross cut withthose of the Scottish Forestry Strategy but also respond more specifically to the issues andopportunities for the future of forests and woodlands in Highland.

The Highland Council Highland Forest and Woodland Strategyii

Executive Summary

HFWS Themes

Expanding the area of forests and woodland;Achieving the economic potential of forests and woodlands;Developing resilience to climate change;Encouraging community engagement and empowerment;Protecting and enhancing Highland’s natural capital;Integrating with development and tourism;Strengthening connections with health, access and recreation and learning;Promoting business and skills development.

Each of these themes is then attributed a number of associated policy objectives as the basis forpractical implementation and delivery of key outcomes for Highland (see 5 'Vision, Strategic Themes,Objectives & Outcomes').

A key component of the HFWS and its implementation is the inclusion of updated Spatial Mappingguidance in the form of a map showing indicative classification of land that might be suitable forwoodland expansion.

Such classification is necessarily at strategic scale and illustrates the general level of constraint /opportunity for woodland expansion - not land which the HFWS proposes should be planted. It istherefore only intended to guide stakeholders and to help target public funding towards the mostsuitable sites.

The HFWS Policy Map has been assembled from GIS layers using an objective list of datasets forrelevant sensitivities and opportunities including agricultural land classifications, statutorydesignations for landscape, priority species and habitats and the cultural and historical environment,with a view to achieving a level of consistency with neighbouring local authority forestry strategyspatial guidance, including Aberdeenshire, Moray and the Cairngorms National Park Authority.

The HFWS is a dynamic document and an important aspect of the Strategy process is to reviewand update the policy context and accuracy of the underlying data to the spatial mapping guidanceon a five yearly cycle and to monitor progress towards indicators and targets within the Strategy.

iiiHighland Forest and Woodland Strategy The Highland Council

Executive Summary

Highland Forest and Woodland Strategy

11 Introducing the Strategy

42 Regulatory & Policy Framework

73 The Highland Forest & Woodland Resource

134 Challenges and Opportunities

265 Vision, Strategic Themes, Objectives & Outcomes

366 Delivering the Strategy

List of Tables

38Table 1 Summary of spatial mapping criteria and information layers

List of Figures

1Figure 1 Area covered by HFWS8Figure 2 Forest cover in Highland9Figure 3 Highland woodland cover - species composition

11Figure 4 Highland woodland cover - distribution of standing timber (m3 overbark)12Figure 5 Highland woodland cover - distribution by ownership and woodland type

15Figure 6 50 year forecast of average annual availability of softwood per period (‘000s ofcubic metres overbark standing) in Highland

15Figure 7 50 year forecast of average annual availability of hardwood per period (‘000s ofcubic metres overbark standing) in Highland

The Highland Council Highland Forest and Woodland Strategy

Contents

Introduction

1.1 The Highland Council area covers some 26,000 km2 - a third of Scotland’s landmass - and is

the largest local authority area in the UK. The forests and woodlands of the Highlands areiconic elements of the environmental, landscape and cultural fabric of the region as well asbeing significant contributors to the wider Highland economy. It is therefore of vitalimportance that the innate value, diversity, and need for sustainable management andexpansion of this multi-functional resource are recognised, protected and championed.

1.2 The 2018 Highland Forest and Woodland Strategy (HFWS) sets out the important roles thatforestry will continue to play in delivering a wide range of sustainable economic and ruraldevelopment, environmental, social and community benefits. It presents the key issues,challenges and opportunities, together with a refreshed vision, strategic aims and objectivesfor the future expansion and stewardship of the Highland forest and woodland resource andassociated industries over the next 20 years.

1.3 Development of the Strategy has been supported by consultation with a wide range of forestindustry and woodland-related statutory agencies and other stakeholders, both individuallyand collectively, through the Highland and the Islands Forestry Forum.

Figure 1 Area covered by HFWS

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1 Introducing the Strategy

Strategy Status & Purpose

1.4 In line with Scottish Planning Policy, the refreshed HFWS will become Supplementary Guidance

forming part of the Highland-wide Local Development Plan (HwLDP) (1)

.

1.5 At the broadest level, the purpose of the HFWS is to provide a regional expression of howthe national vision and priorities for the protection and expansion of Scotland’s forest andwoodland resource - as set out in the Scottish Government’s Land Use Strategy for Scotland,Scottish Forestry Strategy and other related Strategies - will be achieved within the contextof the Highlands, as defined by the administrative boundary of the Highland Council – seeFig.1.

1.6 The HFWS’s status as Supplementary Guidance will also link closely with the Council’s Trees,

Woodland & Development Supplementary Guidance (2013)(2)

adopted in order to assist theCouncil in determining planning applications, particularly those involving developmentproposals that could result in the loss of trees or woodland.

1.7 More specifically the purpose of the HFWS is to:

Identify the key issues and opportunities affecting forestry and woodlands in theHighlands;Provide a promotional tool for raising awareness of the multi-faceted value of theHighland forest and woodland resource;Guide Forestry Commission Scotland in the appraisal of funding applications forwoodland expansion through the Scottish Government’s Forestry Grant Scheme usingthe Strategy’s strategic spatial mapping tool;Assist Highland Council when consulted in connection with applications for grant supportfor woodland creation and management in support of the existing regulatory processes;Influence and contribute to collaborative working with partner agencies, the forestryindustry, landowners, land managers and communities in tackling key issues and realisingthe opportunities.

How has the 2018 HFWS changed since 2006?

1.8 Although a “Refresh” of the 2006 Strategy, which identified many issues and actions that arestill relevant, the 2018 HFWS has been prepared against the backdrop of significant changesin the national and regional policy context and regulatory frameworks for forestry and widerland use. New priorities, challenges and opportunities facing the industry have also come tothe forefront over the past decade.

1.9 Key differences between the 2018 HFWS and its predecessor Strategy include:

Preparation of the 2018 HFWS has been guided by the Scottish Government’s Right Tree

in the Right Place (2010)(3)

which superseded Circular 9/1999 on Indicative Forestry

1 https://highland.gov.uk/info/178/local_and_statutory_development_plans/199/highland-wide_local_development_plan2 https://www.highland.gov.uk/downloads/file/354/trees_woodlands_and_development_supplementary_guidance3 https://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/fcfc129.pdf/$file/fcfc129.pdf

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1 Introducing the Strategy

Strategies and provides an updated framework for development of local authorityregional strategies;The 2018 HFWS will be informed by a Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) andHabitat Regulations Appraisal (HRA).The 2018 HFWS has drawn on the Scottish Forestry Strategy (2006) for developingstrategic themes for forestry in Highland that provide a regional interpretation of thenational vision;Importantly, the 2018 HFWS provides updated indicative strategic guidance for woodlandexpansion in Highland through the availability of an interactive, online spatial mappingtool. This was derived from an updated set of mapping criteria broadly consistent withthose used in the neighbouring forestry strategies for Aberdeenshire and Moray. Usingthese mapping criteria, the 2018 HFWS has mapped opportunities for woodlandexpansion at a strategic level using the following categories:

PreferredPotentialPotential with sensitivitiesSensitiveLand above 550m (Montane)

3Highland Forest and Woodland Strategy The Highland Council

1 Introducing the Strategy

2.1 Since the 2006 Strategy there have been significant changes to the legislative, regulatoryand policy frameworks that have a bearing on or interact with forests and woodlands atnational and regional levels.

National Legislation, Regulation & Control

2.2 In 2016, the Scottish Government published its proposals for new arrangements for thegovernance and regulation of forestry in Scotland. These include putting in place new primarylegislation and an organisational structure to fully devolve forestry in Scotland andaccountability to Scottish Ministers - changes that, subject to consultation, will be finalisedduring the lifetime of this refreshed HFWS. Until this happens and subject to outcomes ofBrexit negotiations, forestry in Scotland will continue to be regulated primarily by ForestryCommission Scotland under:

Forestry Act 1967 (as amended) (1)

;

Plant Health Act 1967(2)

The Forestry (Environmental Impact Assessment) (Scotland) Regulations 2017(3)

.Forestry and Land Management (Scotland) Act 2018

2.3 Regulation of some tree felling also comes under the scope of the Town and Country Planning

(Scotland) Act 1997 (as amended by the Planning (Scotland) Act 2006) (4)

.

2.4 In addition, the UK Forestry Standard (2017)(5)

sets out the national tenet for sustainableforest management together with accompanying guidelines. However, the HFWS alsoencourages woodland managers and owners to achieve UK Woodland Assurance Standard(UKWAS) certification wherever practicable to ensure stronger provisions for biodiversity.

UK Forestry Standard

The UK Forestry Standard (UKFS) is the reference standard for sustainable forest managementin the UK providing a basis for regulation and monitoring. The UKFS is supported by a seriesof guidelines covering biodiversity, climate change, historic environment, landscape, people,soils and water.

1 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1967/10/contents2 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1967/83 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ssi/2017/113/contents/made4 https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1997/8/contents5 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-uk-forestry-standard

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2 Regulatory & Policy Framework

National Policy

2.5 The overarching context for the HFWS flows primarily from:

The Scottish Government’s updated Land Use Strategy (getting the best from our land)

(2016)(6)

with its stated potential “for a new strategic vision for the uplands”;

Scottish Forestry Strategy (2006)(7)

which marks an important shift in the emphasis offorestry policy, focusing on seven important themes that reflect the role of trees andwoodlands in meeting a broad range of objectives for sustainable development.The Scottish Forest Strategy was under revision in 2018 at the time of writing the HFWS.There is a commitment to ensure that any objectives, priorities and policies containedwith the forthcoming revised Strategy (2018) will be incorporated into the HFWS in duecourse and as required.

The Scottish Government's Rationale for Woodland Expansion (2009)(8)

which providesdetail on how woodland expansion can best increase the delivery of public benefit fromScotland’s Land;

Scottish Government Policy on Control of Woodland Removal (2009)(9)

whichsets outthe policy and criteria for determining the acceptability of woodland removal whichshould be taken into account when preparing development plans and determiningplanning applications;

The Climate Change Plan 2018-2032(10)

affirms a target of planting 100,000 hectaresbetween 2012 and 2022. The long term ambition is that by 2032 Scotland’s woodlandcover will increase to 21% of the land area.Scottish Planning Policy which contains policies to guide development management.

National Planning Framework 3 (2014)(11)

which reiterates the need to plan for theexpansion of woodland cover and creation of green networks;

Scottish Government Community Empowerment Act (2015)(12)

which helps to empowercommunities through the ownership and control of land;

Draft Climate Change Plan (2017) (13)

which sets out the Scottish Government’s targetsfor new planting and increased promotion of home grown timber in UK construction.The Scottish Land Rights and Responsibility Statement which is a Statement of landrights and responsibilities in Scotland, as required by Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016.The Code of Practice on Deer Management which sets out how land managers candeliver sustainable deer management. It specifies land managers’ responsibilities andhelps them to identify what they must do, should do and could do to manage deersustainably.

6 http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2016/03/57737 https://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/supporting/strategy-policy-guidance/forestry-strategy8 https://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/images/corporate/pdf/ForestExpansion.pdf9 https://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/fcfc125.pdf/$file/fcfc125.pdf10 http://www.gov.scot/Publications/2018/02/886711 http://www.gov.scot/Topics/Built-Environment/planning/NPF3-SPP-Review/NPF312 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2015/6/contents/enacted13 http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0051/00513102.pdf

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2 Regulatory & Policy Framework

The Scottish Biodiversity Strategy which shows how the Scottish Government, its publicagencies, Scottish business and others can contribute to the Strategy's aims as well assupporting sustainable economic growth.

Local Policy

2.6 At local level the overarching context for the HFWS is provided by Highland-wide LocalDevelopment Plan (2012) and associated supplementary guidance.

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2 Regulatory & Policy Framework

Scotland's Forest Resource

3.1 Scotland’s trees, woodlands and forests make a vital contribution to the nation’s economic,environmental and social wellbeing as well as currently offsetting over 10 million of Scotland’s

annual 70 million tonnes of CO2 emissions.

3.2 The forestry sector is worth almost £1 billion a year to the Scottish economy, supporting25,000 full time equivalent jobs in forestry-related businesses. Scotland is also home toworld-leading forestry and wood businesses that have seen considerable growth withinvestment of £250m in the last decade.

3.3 Over 55% of Britain’s trees are in Scotland where the total area of woodland and forest iscurrently 1.42 million hectares - 18% of Scotland’s total land area. Whilst 70% of Scotland’s

forests were planted during the second half of the 20th

Century, since the 1990s, however,there has been a significant shift in the type and location of new planting.

3.4 Native woodlands are also a vital part of Scotland’s natural and cultural heritage. Althoughwhat is left today is only a small proportion of the native woodland that once covered muchof Scotland, much has been done since the 1980s to protect and restore the areas that remain,a considerable proportion of which is in Highland.

3.5 Although woodland cover has increased significantly in the past 50-60 years, it nonethelessstill compares unfavourably with the European average of 37%. Over the last decade plantingtargets have failed to be met but this trend is likely to be reversed over the coming years.

3.6 Failure to increase planting is a threat to security of wood supply for the wood processingindustries, and business confidence, inward investment and activity elsewhere in the forestrysector. In addition the failure to increase tree planting may result in soil erosion, increasedgreenhouse gas emissions and a loss of biodiversity.

Forest and Woodlands in Highland

3.7 Forestry is one of the most extensive uses of land in Highland with a total woodland coverof about 310,000 hectares or 13% of land area. See Figure 2 'Forest cover in Highland'. Withreference to a 2015 study "The Economic Contribution of the Forestry Sector in Scotland",the forestry sector provides over 25,000 FTE jobs, of which a significant number will be locatedwithin Highland.

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3 The Highland Forest & Woodland Resource

Figure 2 Forest cover in Highland

3.8 Most of the woodland expansion in the Highlands up to the late 1980s was aimed at softwoodtimber production through establishment of large-scale conifer plantations.

3.9 Development of the commercial forestry resource has typically been concentrated in areaswith favourable soils and climate - notably within the Inner Moray Firth, Strathspey and GreatGlen corridor towards Fort William and also to the North and North West, including substantialareas within Caithness and Sutherland.

3.10 In recent decades however, the type of and objectives for new planting have shifted towardsthe restoration and expansion of the Highland’s historically depleted native woodlands,together with more multi-functional woodland.

3.11 Woodland also delivers a wide range of ecosystem services with non-commercial woodlandoften being important in relation to resources such as biodiversity, natural flood management,protection of water quality and fisheries, air quality benefits, recreation and tourism as wellas carbon storage. Ancient woodland plays a particularly important role in absorbing runoffand conserving groundwater

Woodland Types and Characteristics

Productive Woodland

3.12 Productive woodland is that primarily grown to be harvested for timber production. Productivewoodland can comprise both native and non-native species. The HFWS strongly encouragesan increased proportion of productive woodland which uses native species.

The Highland Council Highland Forest and Woodland Strategy8

3 The Highland Forest & Woodland Resource

3.13 Of the total woodland area in Highland, 75% is coniferous woodland(1)

, broadly mirroringthat for Scotland as a whole.

3.14 The distribution of conifer species is dominated by Sitka spruce (27%), Scots pine (21%) andLodgepole pine (19%) with birch being the dominant broadleaved species at 17% of the totalwoodland cover as shown in Figure 3 'Highland woodland cover - species composition'.

Figure 3 Highland woodland cover - species composition

Native Woodland

3.15 HFWS promotes the protection of existing and expansion of new native woodlands whichplay an important role in supporting a variety of species, contribute positively to landscapecharacter and environmental targets.

3.16 Remnant ancient woodland is irreplaceable and therefore of particular importance where itexists throughout the Highlands. HFWS strongly supports the protection and restoration ofthese valuable habitats.

3.17 The area of native woodland in Highland (as recorded in the Native Woodland Survey for

Scotland: Highland 2014) is 130,000 Ha (2)

which is 37% of the total woodland area and 5%of the total land area of Highland.

3.18 The main priority habitat types are native pinewoods (43%, including the iconic areas ofremnant Caledonian Forest), upland birchwoods (34%) and wet woodland (9%).

1 NFI provisional estimates for Highlands & Islands Conservancy; October 2014, Forestry Commission2 Native Woodland Survey for Scotland: Highland; January 2014, Forestry Commission Scotland

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3 The Highland Forest & Woodland Resource

3.19 Many of the native woods in Highland are highly semi-natural in their present structure andcomposition with Scots pine and downy birch the most common native tree species in theupper canopy.

3.20 Less common woodland habitats include upland oakwoods (4%), upland mixed ash woods(2%) with the remaining woodland made up of habitats including hazel woodland andMontane willow scrub.

Woodland Habitat Networks

3.21 An evolving and increasingly significant woodland type within Highland, particularly onmarginal peat sites where the design of conifer plantation restructuring is an on-going process,is the establishment of transitional woodland edges to help protect and enhance forestmargins where these interface with peatlands, on which otherwise traditional coniferrestocking is no longer appropriate.

3.22 Riparian woodland is defined as any woodland on the edge of a watercourse or waterbody.The main benefits of riparian woodland are improvements to water quality, shading to reducesummer temperatures for salmon and freshwater pearl mussel, bank stabilisation and anincrease in habitat diversity. Rivers and burns are natural corridors along which riparianwoodland can create woodland habitat linkages within and between river catchments. Gulliesformed by upland burns can be refuges for woodland remnants, also containing associatedunderstorey species.

3.23 Woodland habitat networks also provide important ecological connections across thelandscape and as buffers around rich or ancient woodland sites.

Timber Supply & Availability

3.24 The Forestry Commission’s 2014 National Forestry Inventory data(3)

indicates that there arecurrently some 62 million cubic metres of standing timber within Highland forests andwoodlands, of which 36% comprises Sitka spruce, 22% Scots pine and 17% Lodgepole pinerepresenting the three dominant productive conifer species. Only 13% of total standing

volume comprises other conifer species with the 12% balance of 7.4million m3 being

broadleaves as shown in Figure 4 'Highland woodland cover - distribution of standing timber(m3 overbark)'.

3 NFI provisional estimates for Highlands & Islands Conservancy; October 2014, Forestry Commission

The Highland Council Highland Forest and Woodland Strategy10

3 The Highland Forest & Woodland Resource

Figure 4 Highland woodland cover - distribution of standing timber (m3 overbark)

3.25 The inventory also indicates that an estimated annual output of some 2 million m3 and

45,000 m3 of softwood and hardwood timber respectively will become available from Highland

forests over the period 2017-21 rising to 3.2million m3 and 80,000 m

3 respectively by 2037.

3.26 After this period however, there is a marked drop off in timber availability, the risks of whichare highlighted below.

Timber Processing

3.27 Highland hosts a well-developed wood processing sector which in turn provides a vitallyimportant economic contribution to the wider forestry sector through the provision of marketoutlets for the region’s small roundwood and sawlog dimension timber. The sector has seenconsiderable inward investment over the past two decades which was further consolidatedin early 2016 with Norbord’s announcement of its £100m investment into an additional linewithin its oriented strand board plant at Dalcross, almost doubling its annual intake of smallroundwood.

3.28 Elsewhere, Highland has seen the expansion and modernisation of the region’s key sawmillingbusinesses including BSW in Fort William and Boat of Garten, JDG Munro at Dingwall, JohnGordon and Tulloch Timber at Nairn.

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3 The Highland Forest & Woodland Resource

3.29 In addition to small roundwood processing at Norbord there is also the Balcas combinedheat and power plant at Invergordon that generates 8MW of electricity and manufactures100,000 tonnes per annum of woodfuel pellets and local woodfuel markets have alsodeveloped, often as a result of bringing small, unmanaged and remote woodlands back intomore active management.

Ownership

3.30 As elsewhere in Scotland, ownership of woodlands is fragmented, although there has beena trend over the past decade for an increasingly large proportion of private land withinHighland to come under the management of a small number of landowners. Currently 66%of the Highland forest and woodland resource is under private ownership (including anincreasing proportion of community owned or managed woodlands) with the balance of34% comprising National Forest Estate, owned by Scottish Ministers and managed by ForestryCommission Scotland and its successor body Forestry and Land Scotland. This means thatthe private sector will have an increasingly important role to play in the stewardship ofHighland’s forest and woodland resource as shown in Figure 5 'Highland woodland cover -distribution by ownership and woodland type'.

Figure 5 Highland woodland cover - distribution by ownership and woodland type

The Highland Council Highland Forest and Woodland Strategy12

3 The Highland Forest & Woodland Resource

4.1 This section outlines some of the key forest and woodland-related challenges, constraintsand opportunities that have come to the fore both nationally and within Highland over thepast decade. The issues and opportunities were identified in consultation with stakeholdersas influencing factors in the context of the development of the Strategy’s vision, themes andobjectives.

Woodland Expansion

4.2 The Climate Change Plan (2018-32) affirms a target of planting of 100,000 hectares between2012 and 2022. The long term ambition is that by 2032 Scotland's woodland cover will increaseto 21% of the land area.

4.3 The regional distinctiveness of Highland brings many challenges and opportunities in relationto woodland expansion. The geographical scale of Highland provides significant opportunityfor a wide variety of woodland types. However, issues such as remoteness, accessibility anddifficult terrain can make woodland expansion challenging.

4.4 There are significant opportunities to enhance and expand native woodlands by regenerationand planting in recognition of their valuable contribution to ecosystem services and tourismas well as increasing opportunities for timber production.

4.5 The scarcity of better arable land limits opportunities for farm woodland creation andexpansion. However, there should be engagement with farmers and crofters to help identifywhere opportunities exist to expand the planting and management of farm woodlandsincluding the development of Highland agroforestry systems.

4.6 Furthermore there is now a presumption against new planting on many peatland soils –particularly where peat depth is > 50cms - where there may be net negative environmentalimpacts of planting in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. In relation to restocking there isseparate guidance available from FCS.

Woodland Removal

4.7 A key strategic issue facing Highland, as elsewhere in Scotland, is the net loss of woodlandcover in the region, together with the historic shortfall in new planting compared with nationaltargets, particularly in respect of productive woodland.

4.8 In 2009 Scottish Government a policy on the control of woodland removal to provide directionfor decisions on woodland removal in Scotland. The policy was in support of Scottish ForestStrategy and the Climate Change Scotland Act 2009 to meet the target of creating 100,000hectares of new woodland over the period 2012-22. The permanent loss of woodland covercan be the result of factors such as development, restructuring of forests and the enhancementof priority habitats such as peatland restoration in the Caithness and Sutherland Natura site.Browsing by deer and other livestock can prevent successful woodland regeneration and bea cause of ancient woodland degradation.

4.9 More emphasis is therefore required in prioritising efforts to reverse the decline in productiveforestry by supporting opportunities for expansion of high quality productive planting andrestocking on the most appropriate sites and where there are appropriate transport links

13Highland Forest and Woodland Strategy The Highland Council

4 Challenges and Opportunities

4.10 Whilst it is recognised that the diverse range of ownerships across Highland will have acorrespondingly diverse range of objectives and priorities for planting, the HFWS providesthe opportunity to support and help target public funding for appropriate woodland creationand long term forest plan proposals.

Future Timber Supplies and the "Timber Gap"

4.11 This anticipated significant increase in availability of hardwood timber from Highland forestsprovides strategic business opportunities for the development of the hardwood sector,including timber utilisation and downstream markets, particularly within the private sector.

4.12 The 2014 National Forest Inventory’s 50-year UK timber availability forecast shows a steadilyincreasing supply of softwood timber until the late 2030s followed by a sharp declinethereafter. This is briefly summarised below - the detailed report can be found here.

4.13 The forecast for Highland follows a similar trend as shown in Figure 6 ' 50 year forecast ofaverage annual availability of softwood per period (‘000s of cubic metres overbark standing)in Highland'. This drop-off has serious implications for future security of softwood timbersupplies post-2030 and with it, the potential for job losses and loss of confidence, reducednew investment by the wood processing sectors in Highland and missed opportunities incontributing to climate change targets.

4.14 Conversely, the forecast for hardwoods over the same period shows a marked increase inavailability as shown in Figure 7 ' 50 year forecast of average annual availability of hardwoodper period (‘000s of cubic metres overbark standing) in Highland' - this arising as aconsequence of a corresponding peak in native broadleaved woodland planting during theperiod 2000-10.

The Highland Council Highland Forest and Woodland Strategy14

4 Challenges and Opportunities

Figure 6 50 year forecast of average annual availability of softwood per period(‘000s of cubic metres overbark standing) in Highland

Figure 7 50 year forecast of average annual availability of hardwood perperiod (‘000s of cubic metres overbark standing) in Highland

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4 Challenges and Opportunities

Timber Transport

4.15 A key feature of the transport network within Highland is that only 950km (12%) of the total

public road network length of 7,700km are trunk roads. The balance of 88% (6,776km)(1)

arepredominantly minor rural roads which provide the primary access to the forest resourceand are within the Council’s direct responsibility for maintenance.

4.16 There are increasingly significant constraints on the use of the public road network by theforestry industry in parts of the Highlands, particularly in remote areas. These areas, whichtimber lorries can struggle to access, are served by minor rural roads which are oftensingle-track, have structural limitations and are in poor condition.

4.17 Reductions in local authority budgets for maintaining the rural road network are a limitingfactor in the economic viability and sustainable management of the forest resource and itsassociated supply chain. In parts of Caithness and Sutherland the inadequacy of the ruralroad network to accommodate predicted volumes of future timber production is leading tothe likelihood of long term restrictions being placed on timber traffic. Furthermore, planningfor expansion and restocking will have to take road infrastructure limitations intoconsideration.

4.18 Through Scotland’s network of Regional Timber Transport Groups, including the HighlandTimber Traffic Group (HTTG), the forest industry has worked collaboratively with theGovernment, local authorities and communities to identify agreed routes for timber haulagevehicles to use, seek alternatives to road transport and invest in the roads infrastructure, the

latter with support from the Strategic Timber Transport Fund(2)

.

4.19 The Highland Agreed Routes Map - developed by the HTTG to categorise the roads leadingto forests in terms of their capacity to sustain the likely level of timber haulage - will remainat the heart of the partnership approach to help mitigate many timber transport challengesin the region. Furthermore the Highland Timber Transport Group Flow Country Strategy

2014-16 (2016)(3)

highlighted the unrealised potential for rail to play a significant part inmitigating the recognised constraints on the public road network.

4.20 The HITRANS Branchliner Report (2016)(4)

went further by pointing unequivocally to theneed for a modal shift to establish the feasibility of transferring the transport of substantialquantities of timber from road to rail, thereby establishing a more integrated solution tofuture timber transport across keys timber producing areas of Highland. Further concertedaction will be required to address the most difficult to access areas and the HTTG will continueits vital role in coordinating activity and supporting and promoting potential alternativemodes of transport.

1 Scottish Transport Statistics No.35 2016, February 2017, Transport Scotland2 https://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/supporting/forest-industries/timber-transport/strategic-timber-transport-scheme3 https://timbertransportforum.org.uk/attachments/article/74/

HTTG%20Publication%202014%20Flow%20Country%20Strategy.pdf4 https://hitrans.org.uk/Corporate/Research/Rail

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4 Challenges and Opportunities

Climate Change

4.21 Helping to mitigate and adapt to climate change will be a key role for Highland’s forestsand woodlands over the foreseeable future.

Mitigation

4.22 Mitigation involvesthe reduction of carbon emissions either by substituting the use of fossilfuels or by increasing the capacity of the environment to absorb and store carbon and therebycontribute to national and regional climate change targets.

4.23 Opportunities for mitigation include:

New planting of trees to absorb carbon where appropriate and with particular referenceto Forestry Commission Scotland guidance in relation to planting or restocking on areasof deep peat;

Carbon offsetting – new woodlands created in Highland could become verified under

the UK Woodland Carbon Code(5)

and thereby gain access to potential carbon markets;

Use of wood and biomass as an energy source - supporting forests and woodlands thatcan contribute to and bolster the woodfuel supply chain will contribute to a lower carboneconomy for Highland.

Increased use of timber as a building material - helping to reduce carbon emissionsassociated with the manufacture and transportation of more energy intensive materialssuch as steel and concrete and locking up carbon in the longer term. There is a growingbody of best practice from across Scotland - with exemplars within Highland -demonstrating how timber can be used in a range of building types, for example:

“Sullivan Report”(6)

“Code for Sustainable Homes” (7)

“

Sustainable Construction Timber(8)

Designing Housing with Scottish Timber(9)

5 https://www.forestry.gov.uk/carboncode6 www.sbsa.gov.uk/sullivanreport.htm7 www.communities.gov.uk/planningandbuilding8 www.forestry.gov.uk/sustainableconstruction9 https://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/images/corporate/pdf/designing-with-Scottish-Timber.pdf

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Adaptation

4.24 Adaptation involves planning and managing woodland ecosystems to minimise the harmfulimpacts of climate change. This can include increases in the frequency of flooding, forestfires, drought highlighting the need to help woodland habitats adapt to climate change.

4.25 Opportunities for adaptation include:

Sustainable drainage - trees and woodland are recognised as being a key componentof Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS);

Tree planting to reduce flood risk - this has an important role to play in a package ofmeasures designed to stabilise slopes and slow the flow of water from upland areas toreduce the impact on downstream communities and infrastructure. Existing forests andwoodland can also play a key part in sustainable approaches to flood management;

Species selection - consideration as to how changing climate will affect the futuremanagement and species composition of the Highland forest resource, given that it isalready having impacts elsewhere in UK forestry, including growth rates and theincreased incidence of pests and diseases. As management horizons for trees andwoodlands are inherently long, planning for enhanced adaptability and resilience toclimate change, for example through a broader choice of suitable species, needs to begiven increased emphasis within woodland creation and restructuring plans.

Tree Health

4.26 Tree health is currently a major issue in UK forestry generally but with a number of particularlydestructive pests and diseases at the forefront in Scotland and Highland that are constrainingwoodland management options – notably pine lappet moth (Dendrolimuspini), Dothistroma needle blight (DNB), ash dieback (Chalara fraxinea), Dutch elm diseaseand Phytophthora ramorum. Dothistroma in particular has caused widespread damage inparts of Highland resulting in the premature clearance of large swathes of productive forestryand associated economic losses. Pests and diseases such as Chalara also have potentialimpacts on native woodlands.

4.27 The integrity of the native flora and fauna of Highland woodlands is also threatened byinvasive non-native species, particularly Rhododendron ponticum. National programmes toensure its removal from Scotland’s National Forest Estate are well underway locally. Anintegrated landscape scale approach is encouraged to tackle the issue on a multi-ownershipcatchment-wide basis.

4.28 More opportunities must be taken to diversify structural and species composition throughwoodland creation and restructuring proposals. This will help defend against increasingthreats from pathogens and will also bolster the resilience of habitats through increasingbiodiversity. Where opportunities exist every effort should be made to regenerate ash andelm in remaining refuges.

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4 Challenges and Opportunities

Deer Management

4.29 Deer management is a key issue in the Highlands where there are inherent natural tensionsbetween the interests of landowners for whom deer stalking is a key land use and source ofincome and those who consider that grazing and browsing pressure, primarily by deer (butalso by sheep), continues to be too high to fulfil forest management and conservationobjectives.

4.30 In some areas however, deer densities are now in better balance with management objectivesand there has been overall improvement in the proportion of designated features of natureconservation importance - including native woodlands - achieving favourable condition,whilst elsewhere, deer impacts are still preventing recovery or enhancement of importanthabitat.

4.31 Opportunities to maintain and improve collaborative deer management (through DeerManagement Groups and deer management plans) across Highland should continue to betaken to help deliver environmentally sustainable deer management on a landscape scale.Together with the findings and implications of the Deer Management in Scotland Report

(2016)(10)

, the 20 year vision set out in 2014's review of Scotland’s Wild Deer: A National

Approach (2008)(11)

and the 2012 Deer Code(12)

.

4.32 Deer fencing is a useful short term solution to protect young or vulnerable woodland but itdoes not address a wider deer management issue. HFWS supports a collaborative approachtowards the management of deer where fencing may be seen as only part of the longer termsolution. Further guidance on deer fencing can be found here.

Community Engagement & Empowerment

4.33 Woodlands help foster community cohesion by creating a sense of place, connectingindividuals and communities with their local identity, land and cultural heritage and helpretain and support rural populations in fragile communities.

4.34 Forestry has also been shown to be an effective catalyst in community capacity building byproviding opportunities for community ownership of woodlands that empowers communitiesto contribute directly to achieving locally relevant sustainable rural development,environmental, biodiversity, recreational and health benefits.

4.35 There are some 50 established community groups and projects across Highland many ofwhich own and /or manage local woods ranging from ancient semi-natural woodlands tolarge conifer plantations and urban woods. These include Abriachan, Aigas,Culag, Dunain, Dunnet, Evanton, Glengarry and Tormore.

10 http://www.snh.org.uk/pdfs/publications/corporate/DeerManReview2016.pdf11 https://www.nature.scot/professional-advice/land-and-sea-management/managing-wildlife/

managing-deer/scotlands-wild-deer-national-approach12 https://www.nature.scot/professional-advice/land-and-sea-management/managing-wildlife/

managing-deer/code-practice-deer-management

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4 Challenges and Opportunities

4.36 The Scottish Government’s Community Empowerment Act (2015)(13)

is designed to helpempower community bodies through the ownership of land and buildings and also to improveoutcomes for communities by improving the process of community planning. The Highlandcommunity sector has played an influential role over the past two decades in the expansionand development of community woodland ownership – for example, through use of the

former National Forest Land Scheme and the successor Community Asset Transfer Scheme (14)

(CATS).

4.37 The CATS provides the HFWS with the opportunity and rationale for more effectivelysupporting and promoting the future of community land ownership and underpin its visionfor increasing areas of forests and woodland in Highland that further strengthen cultural andemotional connections with its communities.

4.38 Furthermore, under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act (2016)(15)

there is a requirement forengaging with communities with an interest in forestry and woodland-related developmentproposals.

4.39 Opportunities for the creation of new Woodland Crofts should be identified in order toencourage a locally-focused approach to forestry which delivers benefits to local and oftenremote communities. The woodland crofts approach may help counter a number of thechallenges facing forestry in Highland through more intensive management with a focus onlocal processing and utilisation.

Landscape

4.40 Highland’s woodlands and forests provide integral and often iconic elements of the landscapesthat attract people to live, work and visit the region. A significant proportion of landscapesthat are designated as National Scenic Areas (NSA) and Special Landscape Areas (SLA) identifywoodlands as being part of their special qualities.

4.41 Highland also contains a large proportion of Scotland’s Wild Land Areas (WLAs); extensiveareas of the highest wildness which are largely semi-natural that show minimal signs ofhuman influence.

4.42 Whilst WLAs are not a statutory designation, they are recognised as a nationally importantasset in Scottish Planning Policy. In order to safeguard their distinctiveness and qualities,appropriate protection and enhancement measures need to be considered.

4.43 It is recognised that protecting WLAs requires supportive management and that in manyareas opportunities for appropriate enhancement often exist. In the context of a forestryand woodland strategy – two aims of which are to guide woodland expansion, and encouragecollaborative working so that opportunities for land use change can be realised - it isappropriate to consider the potential for significant effects on the qualities of WLAs at an

13 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2015/6/contents/enacted14 https://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/managing/get-involved/community-asset-transfer-scheme15 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/asp/2016/18/contents/enacted

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4 Challenges and Opportunities

early stage when developing woodland creation proposals. Where appropriate and on acase-by-case basis, this will enable a proportionate assessment of any impacts to be made,which can be used to inform the detail of planting proposals.

4.44 Further information on Wild Land Areas, their individual descriptions along with technical

guidance on assessing impacts can be found on the Scottish Natural Heritage website(16)

.

Spatial data on WLAs can be found via Scotland’s Environment Web(17)

.

Biodiversity

4.45 Our forests and woodlands also provide habitats for a variety of plants and wildlife andHighland supports over three quarters of the UK’s priority habitats and species found inScotland. Wooded areas host a rich and diverse range of flora and fauna. Ancient and othernative woodlands are of particular importance, not just because of their innate biodiversityvalue, but for the soil structure, function and diversity of flora developed over long periodsof time - making them an irreplaceable resource.

4.46 The remnants of Scotland’s Caledonian pinewoods are arguably Highland’s most iconiccultural, scenic and wildlife assets. Having naturally seeded and grown since the last ice agebut subject to widespread clearance and grazing over the centuries, only some 12,000 Hacurrently remain, distributed over some thirty five key sites stretching from Shieldaig in thefar west, to Loch Einig in Sutherland to the north, north of Loch Lomond to the south andDeeside to the east. At least twenty of these areas are designated as SSSIs, emphasising theirconservation importance.

4.47 Highland’s west coast and glens also host important remnants of Scotland’s Atlantic andtemperate rainforest woods including the Loch Sunart oakwoods which provide some ofEurope’s best examples of lichen epiphyte habitats. Classed as cool temperate rainforest,

these woodlands are now highly fragmented having been widely felled in the 18th

and

19th

centuries and are threatened by over grazing and invasive species. These are thereforehigh priority conservation areas. The Atlantic Woodland Alliance has recently been establishedand a 10 year action plan ‘Saving Scotland’s Rainforest’ is being prepared.

4.48 In hosting these and other priority habitats, Highland plays a key role in contributing to

Scotland’s 2020 Challenge for Scotland’s Biodiversity (2013)(18)

strategy and the Highland

Biodiversity Action Plan (2015)(19)

.

4.49 The HFWS provides an on-going opportunity to support well-designed and sensitive woodlandmanagement and expansion proposals that will complement and restore Highland’s nativewoodlands. This will in turn protect ancient and semi-natural woodland and maintain andenhance biodiversity.

16 https://www.nature.scot/professional-advice/landscape-change/landscape-policy-and-guidance/landscape-policy-wild-land17 https://www.environment.gov.scot/18 http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0042/00425276.pdf19 http://www.highlandbiodiversity.com/highland-bap.asp

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4 Challenges and Opportunities

Access, Recreation & Tourism

4.50 The high quality environment of Highland underpins much of its economic activity includingfood and drink and tourism which gives the area a “natural competitive” advantage. ForHighland’s forests and woodlands to continue to provide their many health, recreation andtourism benefits, they need to be accessible for visitors of all abilities. There also needs tobe on-going recognition of the contribution that landowners make in providing such benefitsalongside their other management objectives.

4.51 The economic contribution of forests and woodlands to the Scottish tourism industry hasbeen estimated at over £4.5 billion per year; in Highland, their value is becoming more clearlyrecognised as a key element of tourism destinations with cycling tourism, mountain bikingand wildlife tourism making significant contributions.

4.52 Woodland paths are an important constituent of the Core Path Plans and as new woodlandpaths are developed there is an opportunity to extend the Core Path Network.

4.53 There are a number of important tourism transport corridors and destination routes inHighland, including the road routes of the A9 through Strathspey, the Great Glen, Invergarryto Skye and Inverness to Ullapool, and the designated Long Distance Routes of the WestHighland, Great Glen and Speyside Ways and the more recently promoted North Coast 500route. These provide important opportunities for further strengthening connections betweentourism and Highland forests and woodlands, and with the concept of establishing more“forest parks” coming to the fore, forests such as Ardverikie, Morvern and Achnashellach thatprovide the visual backdrop to many of the region’s tourism experiences, could also be addedto this number.

4.54 There are also opportunities to improve the setting of important cultural heritage sites andlandscapes through the removal of regeneration or past planting and by restoring woodlandwhere the historical evidence indicates that this was present during the life of the sites.

4.55 The many designed landscapes, such those included in the Historic Scotland / SNH Inventoryof Gardens and Designed Landscapes have a significant woodland element and theirsustainable management and promotion would also contribute to cultural and tourismbenefits. Likewise, the National Tree Collection of Scotland at Corrour and Lael would alsoadd to local tourist infrastructure.

4.56 Such wealth of natural heritage provides Highland not only with physical “natural capital”but also significant associated economic business development opportunities.

Health and Wellbeing

4.57 There is mounting evidence which demonstrates that access to good quality green space -including trees, woodlands and nearby countryside - can make a significant contribution toimprovement of physical and mental health and recovery times.

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4 Challenges and Opportunities

4.58 At a national scale, the health sector is recognising such benefits as one of the determinantsof health and there are a number of initiatives that are actively working with the sector to

help promote and deliver them. These include the NHS Green Exercise Partnership (GEP) (20)

and the FCS Health Strategy(21)

.

4.59 Since 2010 the GEP has provided funding to support demonstration projects across Scotland

including The New Craigs Greenspace project(22)

near Inverness.

4.60 In its Annual Report of the Director of Public Health, Highland (2014)(23)

, NHS Highlandrecognised the opportunities to improve human mental and physical health through exerciseand general enjoyment of the outdoors and called for greater investment in our naturalcapital to protect existing ecosystems and improve the health of our natural environment.

4.61 There are three NHS Highland hospitals within the HFWS area - the District General Hospitalat Raigmore in Inverness and two Rural General Hospitals in Wick and Fort William. There areopportunities to establish/foster stronger links and engagement between the Highlandhealth sector, public agencies, partner organisations. and local community woodland groupsto identify more ways to deliver the NHS Highland vision and contribute to the health andwellbeing of the region’s communities.

Trees, Woodland & Development

4.62 The HFWS offers opportunities to proactively promote and integrate the benefits providedby trees, woodlands and forests in relation to development planning and management. This

approach is now commonly referred to as ecosystem services(24)

. This could include moreinnovative approaches to living and working sustainably within woodlands, for examplewoodland crofts and hutting.

4.63 Scottish Planning Policy (SPP), the Highland-wide Local Development Plan and Trees,

Woodlands and Development Supplementary Guidance(25)

will be used to guide developmentwhere it may impact on trees and woodlands. Scottish Government policy on the Control ofWoodland Removal will be a consideration where proposals involve a permanent change inland use resulting in a net loss of woodland.

Forestry Sector Labour & Skills Availability

4.64 Over 25,000 people work in Scotland’s forestry and related industries of which 19,500 areemployed in forest management and timber processing and over 6,000 in forestry-relatedtourism roles.

20 http://www.healthscotland.com/topics/settings/nhsgreenspace/index.aspx21 https://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/supporting/strategy-policy-guidance/health-strategy22 http://www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/News/Pages/GreenspaceinitiativestartsatNewCraigs.aspx23 http://www.nhshighland.scot.nhs.uk/Publications/Documents/

Director%20of%20Public%20Health%20Annual%20Report%202014.pdf24 https://www.gov.uk/guidance/ecosystems-services25 https://www.highland.gov.uk/directory_record/683412/trees_and_woodland

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4 Challenges and Opportunities

4.65 Whilst the forest industry can be an attractive and rewarding place to work, offering a widerange of job opportunities with the capacity to double in size over the next ten years, thecurrent forestry workforce is ageing and is not expanding at a sufficient enough rate to meetthe growing demands of the sector. Furthermore, as 94% of forestry businesses have lessthan 10 staff, the costs of providing accessible entry points to the sector such as those offered

through the Scottish Government’s apprenticeship programme(26)

and of delivering on-goingtraining for those within it are seen as a significant barrier for these small businesses.

4.66 Recognising the importance of a skilled workforce to the sustainability of Scotland’s forestand timber sector, The Scottish Forest and Timber Technologies Industry Leadership Group,has established a Skills Working Group in order to develop a Skills Investment Plan, inconjunction with Skills Development Scotland, which will outline a plan of action to ensurethe industry has the skilled and diverse workforce it requires to enable its continued growth.

4.67 Highland is well placed to contribute to these actions with its breadth of forestry, timberprocessing and construction businesses and its significant knowledge base in communityand crofter forestry initiatives. Furthermore, the Scottish School of Forestry, Inverness College,UHI is a centre of excellence for research, promoting the sector as an attractive career choiceand providing forestry training

4.68 BREXIT & Changes in Forestry Legislation & Regulation

4.69 The impact on the Highland forestry sector of leaving the European Union is as uncertain asit is for Scotland and UK as a whole. Confor and other forest industry representatives haveidentified a range of potential impacts on the forestry sector under three main themes:

Legislative & Regulatory Affairs (including issues such as EIA Regulations, Birds & HabitatsDirectives, Plant Health, Employment and Health & Safety Law);Public Funding (including the support for woodland creation and management, supplychain and timber processing, community development and research);Trading & Markets (including issues such goods, labour, timber & construction, renewableenergy and land).

4.70 In terms of specific forestry legislation and regulation, with the introduction of the Forestry

and Land Management (Scotland) Bill(27)

in 2018, there will be changes to forestry legislationin Scotland. Encompassing forestry and land management, the Bill recognises the widerbenefits that forestry can deliver and has been designed to provide a modern approach toforestry development, support and regulation where forestry will be more fully accountableto Scottish Ministers and the Scottish Parliament.

4.71 It is anticipated that changes resulting from the Forestry and Land Management (Scotland)Bill would be implemented in 2019.

26 https://www.apprenticeships.scot/27 http://www.gov.scot/Topics/farmingrural/Forestry/completingdevolution/forestrylandmanagementbill

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4 Challenges and Opportunities

4.72 Although traditionally geared towards long term planning, the forestry sector is wellaccustomed to the constantly evolving dynamics of its policy and support structures and issufficiently resilient and sustainable to adapt. Opportunities also exist to regularly reviewlocal forestry strategies to maintain support for forestry by responding to major structuralchange.

25Highland Forest and Woodland Strategy The Highland Council

4 Challenges and Opportunities

5.1 The HFWS sets out The Highland Council’s vision, strategic themes, objectives that will formthe basis of its support for the development of the Highland forest and woodland resourceand its stewardship over the next 20 years and associated outcomes.

Vision

5.2 Our vision is that:

“the forests, woodlands and trees of the Highlands will be prized elements of oureconomic, environmental, community and cultural fabric, fulfilling valued and sustainableroles in realising their productive potential (where relevant) and enriching the qualityof life for all who live, work and visit here.”

Strategic Themes

5.3 The HFWS has the following eight key strategic themes that cross cut with those of the ScottishForestry Strategy and reflect and respond to the Challenges and Opportunities set out in4 'Challenges and Opportunities'.

Strategic Themes

Theme 1 - Woodland Expansion

Theme 2 - Economic Potential

Theme 3 - Climate Change

Theme 4 - Community Empowerment

Theme 5 - Environmental Capital

Theme 6 - Development and Tourism

Theme 7 - Health and Wellbeing

Theme 8 - Business and Skills Development

5.4 The themes are not listed in any particular order as they are seen as being of equal importancein achieving the vision. In the following sections each theme is accompanied by policyobjectives that provide the focus for action over the next five years

The Highland Council Highland Forest and Woodland Strategy26

5 Vision, Strategic Themes, Objectives & Outcomes

Policy Objectives

Theme 1 – Woodland Expansion

5.5 Expansion of forests and woodland in Highland will be looked upon as a means of contributingto achieving national targets for increasing the areas of productive and native woodland butalways subject to an appropriate scale, type, objective and overriding constraints. Due to thegeographical extent of Highland, there is significant opportunity for woodland expansion,however, this brings associated challenges, for example difficult terrain and accessibility.

5.6 Furthermore, in order that forests and woodland can deliver their full potential of multipleeconomic, environmental, social and community benefits, it is the HFWS’s aspiration thatsuch woodland expansion should be integrated, diverse, inclusive, resilient, productive andbetter supported by regional infrastructure.

5.7 Where woodland expansion proposals cross local authority boundaries, or are likely to impacton the interests of the neighbouring local authority area, consultation will be carried out withreference to the relevant Forest and Woodland Strategy with opportunities for cross-bordercollaboration to achieve wider benefits.

5.8 There is a presumption that the design and subsequent management of all woodland creationand restructuring proposals will be carried out in accordance with the requirements of theUK Forestry Standard (UKFS).

Objectives

Support increased levels of productive and multi-functional woodland expansion acrossHighland;

Encourage planting that contributes to integration with and expansion of native woodlandand other woodland habitat networks;

Encourage woodland expansion that delivers 'ecosystem services' relating to mitigationand adaptation to climate change, including flood plan management and protection ofdeep peat areas;

Encourage a collaborative and balanced approach to deer management that support theHighland economy whilst safeguarding its forests, woodlands and wider environmentalinterests;

Support woodland expansion and crofter forestry schemes that help better integrateforestry with farming and crofting through targeted funding and advice;

Contribute to the implementation of the recommendations of the Mackinnon Report forwoodland expansion.

27Highland Forest and Woodland Strategy The Highland Council

5 Vision, Strategic Themes, Objectives & Outcomes

Theme 2 - Economic Potential

5.9 Sustainable management of Highland’s forests and woodland will be dependent on thesector as a whole being economically viable. The HFWS strongly supports the improvedmanagement of the existing woodland resource, including productive restocking and thinning.It also supports the enhancement and expansion of native woodlands (including Montane)by regeneration and planting and encourages opportunities for increasing timber productionfrom Scots pine and birch.

5.10 A key factor in helping landowners to achieve the economic viability of their woodlandinvestment is the availability of necessary supporting infrastructure, principally pertainingto timber transport but also efficiency of access to appropriate public funding mechanisms.

5.11 Wood processors also require a consistent and reliable supply of timber if they are to continueto invest in the industry. There is therefore a business imperative to help ‘smooth’ the supplyof timber from Highland forests to avoid predicted peak and troughs of timber availability. This will require a combination of good long-term planning and production forecasting, theprudent use of the national forest estate’s timber resource and incentives for the phasedrestructuring of plantations.

5.12 In addition to the timber value , woodlands can provide many other economic benefitsthrough tourism and recreation. Other ecosystem services provided by woodland, such asnatural flood management, are of huge economic importance and are considered to be partof the resource.

Objectives

Support applications for planting a variety of species to ensure long-term resilience ofthe forestry sector.

Continue to work with the Highland Timber Transport Group (HTTG) to facilitate forestindustry collaboration to develop an effective system of communication with regard toproposed timber movements;

Work in partnership with HTTG to identify priority road, rail and sea improvement projectsthrough a programme of investment in timber transport infrastructure ;

In conjunction with the Highland Timber Transport Group, actively seek ways to integraterural roads infrastructure and land-use planning;

Encourage the wider use of local woodfuel in domestic and smaller-scale commercialsettings to support the development of the Highland-wide biomass supply chain;

Encourage a cooperative approach to the sustainable management of small woodlandsunder multiple ownership.

Support the development of local hard wood products;

Promote growth of markets for timber grown in Highland for sustainable construction.

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5 Vision, Strategic Themes, Objectives & Outcomes

Theme 3 - Climate Change

5.13 This theme centres on the roles of Highland forests and woodland in helping to reduce theimpact of climate change and better equipping Highland to adapt to those changes.

5.14 Woodland creation and management should continue to support the principles of the EUWater Framework Directive, River Basin Management Planning and flood risk managementaims, including Groundwater Dependent Terrestrial Ecosystems (GWDTE), together withprotection of soils and slope stability and species diversification.

Objectives

Support forestry proposals that enhance environmental and soil protection throughsustainable flood and catchment management;

Support increasing use of woodfuel for renewable energy;

Continue to encourage age and species diversity within woodland creation and longterm forest plans to adapt to climate change and improve resilience against pests anddisease;

Promote increased use of home-grown sustainably produced timber and timber productsfor construction and house building through Highland Council’s sustainable procurementpolicy;

Raise awareness of Voluntary Carbon Standards such as the Woodland Carbon Code asmechanisms for help to realise the benefits of carbon sequestration;

Continue to implement SG Policy on the Control of Woodland Removal when consideringdevelopment proposals that involve the loss of trees and woodland;

Encourage wider use of Low Impact Silvicultural Systems (LISS) where appropriate toincrease long term carbon retention;

Support opportunities for peatland habitat restoration in combination with “peatlandedge” and “transition” type woodland and habitat connectivity as part of restructuring /long term forest plan proposals.

29Highland Forest and Woodland Strategy The Highland Council

5 Vision, Strategic Themes, Objectives & Outcomes

Theme 4 – Community Empowerment

5.15 The HFWS’s vision incorporates not only physically increasing areas of forests and woodlandin Highland but also further strengthening cultural and emotional connections betweencommunities and the forests and woodlands themselves.

5.16 Enabling mechanisms such as the 2015 Community Empowerment Act, and the CommunityAssets Transfer Scheme (CATS) will continue to help community groups to meet their aspirationsfor local woodland ownership and achieving ways to providing increased public benefitsand opportunities

Objectives

Continue to support asset transfer, community woodland ownership and managementwithin Highland;

Encourage local engagement in scoping meetings relating to Forest Plans and woodlandcreation proposals to deliver local benefits;

Encourage community owned wood-related energy projects in woodlands;

Encourage and promote community led affordable housing within appropriate woodlandsettings as described in The Highland’s Council Trees, Woodland & DevelopmentSupplementary Guidance;

Support accessible access and recreational facilities, local employment, ruralskills and community energy projects.

Opportunities for the creation of new Woodland Crofts and woodland croftingcommunities should be identified in order to encourage a locally focused approach toforestry which delivers benefits to local and often remote communities.

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5 Vision, Strategic Themes, Objectives & Outcomes

Theme 5 - Environmental Capital

5.17 The quality and diversity of Highland’s landscapes, biodiversity and cultural heritage – itsEnvironmental Capital - is a key asset, underpinning the area’s attractiveness as a place tolive, work, visit and invest. The region’s forests and woodlands already make a substantialcontribution to the landscapes and biodiversity of Highland, providing a range of naturaland semi-natural habitats and forming an integral part of the area’s historic environmentand cultural heritage.

5.18 This Theme’s objectives focus on ways of further enhancing this contribution.

Objectives

Promote woodland management and expansion that restores, enhances and safeguardsbiodiversity and habitat connectivity;

Support sustainable forest management proposals that meet the UK Forestry Standardas a minimum standard and promote the UK Woodland Assurance Scheme (UKWAS);

In conjunction with other partners, promote the benefits of incremental restorationof Plantation on Ancient Woodland (PAWS) sites and other important woodland typesincluding Atlantic woodlands and Montane;

Ensure that woodland expansion proposals and long-term management plans protectand promote Highland’s historic environment and cultural heritage, including gardensand designed landscapes and heritage trees.

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5 Vision, Strategic Themes, Objectives & Outcomes

Theme 6 -Development and Tourism

5.19 Trees and woodlands make an important contribution to place making and their interactionwith good quality development can create attractive and functional places for people to liveand work – as exemplified in many European countries.

5.20 Well planned and designed planting and forest restructuring also ensures that newdevelopment makes a positive contribution to the wider environment, safeguarding andreinforcing habitat networks, enhancing tourism corridors and integrating developmentwithin the wider landscape.

5.21 Settlements of more than 2,000 inhabitants may be eligible for the Forestry Grant Scheme’sWoodland In and Around Towns (WIAT) programme. Enhanced and sustainable managementof woodlands in and around towns and villages and the integration of woodlands with newdevelopments can improve their character and setting as well as providing opportunities forbetter access and community participation.

Objectives

Ensure that provision for new planting and /or management of existing tree cover areincorporated as integral elements of development briefs and master plans for newdevelopment and regeneration proposals across Highland;

Support sensitive development in woodlands in accordance with Scottish PlanningPolicy and Highland-wide Local Development Plan and Supplementary Guidance onTrees, Woodland and Development;

Promote opportunities for funding streams such as WIAT to contribute to enhancementof urban fringe areas through improvements to local woodlands, particularly those in ornear deprived areas;

Work with woodland owners, managers and other stakeholders to identify and developthe potential of strategically located new and existing Highland woodlands (for example,forest parks) as future visitor and tourism attractions and destinations;

Encourage woodland tourism initiatives to sign up to Visit Scotland Welcome Schemes;

Support opportunities for linking accessible and active outdoor access/recreation andtourism in and between Highland forests and woodlands, including hutting developments,mountain biking, walking and activities such as orienteering and eco- tourism;

Support the restructuring of woodland and forestry along tourism corridors;

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5 Vision, Strategic Themes, Objectives & Outcomes

Theme 7– Health and Wellbeing

5.22 Projects and plans designed to bring physical and mental health benefits to Highlandcommunities through linkages with forests and woodlands will continue to be a priority overthe lifetime of the HFWS, for example the Highland Local Outcome Improvement Plan. Similarly existing initiatives and new partnerships with NHS Highland, local community groupsand other health sector partners can be consolidated and expanded.

5.23 The access opportunities that woodlands provide have a significant role in health improvementand are robust environments for outdoor activities, with the capacity to absorb large numbersof people while still maintaining the all-important “sense of place”. Community woodlandshave a particularly important role to play in this respect.

5.24 The potential range and scale of woodland-linked access and recreation opportunities ishigh, as demonstrated by the growth in cycling tourism and mountain biking within forestssuch as Laggan and Golspie.

5.25 Access rights exercised under the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2016 and the Scottish OutdoorAccess Code provide landowners and the public with legal and advisory frameworks fortaking responsible access.

5.26 The potential for local woodlands to be used as ‘natural classrooms’ thus embracing educationas a route to reconnecting people, particularly schoolchildren, with their forests and therebyhelping to create a forest culture will be encouraged through delivery by well-establishedmechanisms such as Forest School and the Highland OWL (Outdoor Woodland Learning)groups.

Objectives

Support Continue to work with the Highland health sector and other stakeholders toraise awareness of the role of trees and woodlands in provision of health benefits;

Support and extend the benefits of joint health initiatives such as “Branching Out” andthe Green Exercise Partnership” across Highland;

Promote the role of woodlands in providing a resource for physical activity close to wherepeople live and work;

Support and promote development and management of the Highland Core Paths network;

Ensure that provision for responsible public access to forests and woodlands is embeddedin woodland creation proposals and maintained within existing woodlands using theframeworks of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and Land Reform Act;

Encourage and promote the use of Highland forests and woodlands for outdoor learningthrough Forest School and Highland OWL.

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5 Vision, Strategic Themes, Objectives & Outcomes

5.27 Theme 8 - Business and Skills Development

5.28 Delivering the full benefits of multifunctional and sustainable forest management requiresa diverse, well-trained, highly skilled and motivated workforce. This is a key role of universitiesand higher education establishments; within Highland, the Scottish School of Forestry,Inverness College, UHI, is the principal institution for forestry education and training.

5.29 Encouraging people to consider working in the forest industry requires effective marketingand communication strategies which will showcase the sector as a vibrant and progressiveindustry with opportunities for rewarding careers.

5.30 Offering new entrants a clear route into the industry requires the development of flexible,accessible and stimulating apprenticeship schemes, together with the encouragement ofemployers to engage in such programmes.

5.31 Providing opportunities for the emerging and existing workforce to learn and continuallydevelop skills which will enable them to meet the diverse demands of the sector and tomaximise links with other industries requires a curriculum which is up-to-date and appropriateto the needs of the industry, a recognition of the role of continual professional development,the provision of relevant training programmes and a willingness to exchange knowledgeand identify cross-cutting opportunities with other sectors.

Objectives

Working collaboratively with industry and education partners across Highland and theScottish Forest and Timber Technologies Skills Group, promote the sector as a potentialcareer choice to new entrants;

Improve links between schools, FE/HE institutions and industry throughthe support, development and delivery of rural skills and apprenticeship programmes andactive engagement with Developing the Young Workforce;

Support curriculum and training provision in the Highlands to ensure they are up-to-date,appropriate and meet the needs of the industry;

In partnership with industry initiatives such as the Highland Forest Industry Cluster, exploreand promote the development of accessible and stimulating apprenticeship schemesacross the Highlands and encourage employer engagement with such programmes;

Support knowledge exchange and explore cross-cutting opportunities with other landbased sectors operating within the Highlands.

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5 Vision, Strategic Themes, Objectives & Outcomes

Strategy Outcomes

5.32 It is envisaged that over its initial 20-year lifespan, the HFWS will have delivered the followingkey outcomes:

Strategic Outcomes

Theme 1: Woodland expansion at appropriate locations in Highland will have contributedstrongly towards achieving national targets.

Theme 2: Realisation of the economic potential of the Highland forest resource includingtimber supply, tourism, recreation and other ecosystem services.

Theme 3: Highland forest and woodland are more resilient to the effects of climate change.

Theme 4: More Highland communities are empowered through woodland ownership andmanagement providing opportunities for skills development and employment.

Theme 5: Forests and woodland are highly valued for their role in enhancing and protectingHighland’s iconic environmental capital.

Theme 6: Appropriate and sensitively sited sustainable rural development and tourism isintegrated with Highland forests and woodland.

Theme 7: The health and wellbeing development derived from forests and woodland arefirmly embedded within Highland’s health sector.

Theme 8: Highland is widely recognised as a centre of excellence for forestry education, skillsand business innovation.

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5 Vision, Strategic Themes, Objectives & Outcomes

Spatial Mapping Guidance for Woodland Expansion in Highland

6.1 A key strategic aim of the HFWS is the expansion of forests and woodlands in Highlandsupported by the overarching principle that such expansion should be looked upon favourably,albeit subject to appropriate scale, woodland type, objective, policy and legislativeconsiderations and other overriding constraints.

6.2 The classification of land sensitivity to woodland expansion provided in the 2006 Strategy’s“Policy Map” has been updated using the guidance provided by the Scottish Government’s

guidance on ‘The Right Tree in the Right Place’ (1)

. It retains the three main categories of“Preferred”, “Potential” and “Sensitive” but, in order to reflect Highland’s diversity, also includestwo additional categories; “Potential with Sensitivities” and “Land above 550m”.

6.3 The provision of this updated spatial guidance is intended to enable, rather than constrainwoodland expansion. The classification is a strategic process, giving a general impression ofan area’s suitability or otherwise for woodland expansion that will help maximise benefitsand integrate with adjacent land uses.

6.4 The refreshed Policy Map (see Map 1 'Spatial mapping guidance for woodland expansion inHighland') illustrates the general level of opportunity for woodland expansion - not landwhich the HFWS proposes should be planted. Given that woodland is one of many possibleuses for much of the region’s land, inclusion within one or other of the land categories shouldnot be interpreted as precluding other viable and environmentally acceptable land uses.

6.5 As such the Map 1 'Spatial mapping guidance for woodland expansion in Highland' is thereforeintended only to guide stakeholders towards potentially suitable sites and does notautomatically mean that a planting proposal would proceed. On detailed examination therewill inevitably be small areas that could readily fall into a different category.

The importance of site-specific assessment of individual proposals for woodlandexpansion, or woodland removal remains paramount and for this reason it is critical toemphasis that the classifications are indicative rather than prescriptive.

1 https://www.forestry.gov.uk/pdf/fcfc129.pdf/$FILE/fcfc129.pdf

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6.6 The 5 land sensitivity categories are defined as below:

Land which is suitable for a range of woodland types and objectives. Itshould be possible to address site specific issues with well-designed proposalswhich meet the UK Forestry Standard and associated guidelines.

Preferred

Land which offers considerable potential for a range of woodland typeswhich integrate with other land uses. The design of schemes will requirecareful consideration to address limited sensitivities and in particular, followFCS Guidance on Woodland Creation on Agricultural Land.

Potential

Land which offers potential for woodland types which predominantlydeliver biodiversity, landscape and/or amenity objectives. The design ofschemes will require more careful consideration to address a wider range ofsensitivities.

Potentialwith

sensitivities

Land which offers limited potential for woodland types whichpredominantly deliver biodiversity, landscape and/or amenity objectives. Acombination of known sensitivities are only likely to support woodland of aSensitive scale and character which can be accommodated without likely significantadverse effects on sensitivities, and/or where it would enhance features oflocal, regional, national and international interest.

Land offering limited potential for predominately montane woodlandtype. A combination of known sensitivities and altitude are only likely tosupport woodland of a scale and character which can be accommodatedwithout likely significant adverse effects on sensitivities, and/or where it wouldenhance features of local, regional, national and international interest.

Land above550m

6.7 In addition to the above, Map 1 'Spatial mapping guidance for woodland expansion in

Highland'(2)

identifies existing woodland, lochs and water courses and larger urban areasconsidered unsuitable for woodland.

6.8 In general, the more sensitive the classification, the more numerous and significant are likelyto be the issues that will need to be addressed in considering woodland expansion proposalsand the greater the likelihood that an Environmental Impact Assessment will be required. AHabitats Regulations Assessment will be required for all proposals which could have asignificant effect on Natura 2000 sites.

2 Please note that this spatial mapping is intended to provide indicative rather than prescriptive guidance andshould not therefore be interrogated at scales of less than 1:250,000. All woodland creation proposals will besubject to a site specific assessment in order to determine suitability.

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MAP CATEGORY/COLOUR INFORMATION LAYERCRITERIA

Preferred None of the belowNo significant constraints

Potential – see Woodland Creation on

Agricultural Land(2)

Macaulay (JHI) Land Capability for

Agriculture Class 3.2 land (1)

Agricultural land

Potential with sensitivities Macaulay (JHI) Land Capability forAgriculture prime quality land (Classes1, 2 and 3.1)

Potential with sensitivities Designed Landscapes and GardensCultural Heritage

Potential with sensitivities Scheduled Ancient Monuments (with

20m buffer) (3)

Potential with sensitivities Battlefields

Potential with sensitivities –

see Forestry and Peatland Habitats(4)

SNH Carbon & Peatland Map (2016)derived from JHI soil carbon data

Carbon rich soils

Potential with sensitivities Local Nature Reserves Natural heritage sites / environmentaldesignations / landscapes

Potential with sensitivities National Nature Reserves

The sites within the designations havebeen assessed and split into twogroups according to their level of

sensitivity. (5)

Potential with sensitivities National Scenic Areas

Potential with sensitivities RAMSAR sites

Potential with sensitivities Special Areas of Conservation

Potential with sensitivities Special Landscape Areas

Potential with sensitivities Sites of Special Scientific Interest

Potential with sensitivities Special Protection Areas

SensitiveRAMSAR sites

SensitiveSpecial Areas of Conservation

SensitiveSpecial Landscape Areas

SensitiveSites of Special Scientific Interest

SensitiveSpecial Protection Areas

May be available for montanewoodland creation in certainlocations

Elevation dataLand over 550m

Not available for woodland creationNational Forest Inventory Scotland(2013)

Existing woodland

Native woodland survey of Scotland

Not available for woodland creationLand Capability for Forestry Category20

Urban (built up) areas

Not available for woodland creationOS mappingLochs and water

Table 1 Summary of spatial mapping criteria and information layers

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1. All other Macaulay Land Capability classes above 3.2 (i.e. 4.1 to 7) are categorised as “Preferred” where no otherconstraints apply

2. https://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/images/corporate/pdf/GuidanceAboutWoodlandCreationOnAgriculturalLand.pdf3. The “Potential with sensitivities” categorisation given the Scheduled Monuments is a means of identifying the

20m buffer round these sites as sensitive to new planting. The actual monuments themselves, which are generallytoo small to show on the map, will be “Unsuitable” for planting.

4. https://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/images/corporate/pdf/peatland-habitats-supplementary-guidance-june-2016.pdf5. Conservation designations have been assessed by SNH and landscape designations have been assessed by

Highland Council

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Please note that this spatial mapping isintended to provide indicative ratherthan prescriptive guidance and shouldnot therefore be interrogated at scalesof less than 1:250,000. All woodlandcreation proposals will be subject to asite specific assessment in order todetermine suitability.© Crown copyright. The Highland Council 2017 1000233691:1,250,000Scale @

±PreferredPotential

Sensitive

Land Over 550mExisting Woodland

WaterUrban AreasPotential with Sensitivities

Enabling Woodland Expansion

6.9 This refreshed HFWS has highlighted the key issues and opportunities in relation to forestryand woodlands in Highland together with the Councils’ vision for how forestry will helpcontribute towards enhancing the environmental, economic and community fabric of Highlandsustainably.

6.10 Delivery of woodland expansion will require promotion and targeting of appropriate grantsand incentives.

6.11 As a follow on from formal adoption of the refreshed HFWS, it is therefore recommendedthat an implementation process take place using the issues and opportunities, strategicthemes and objectives already identified in this document as the baseline.

6.12 The output of the implementation process could be an Action Plan showing ownership forleading or partnering the delivery of each action by relevant agencies or organisations.

6.13 The Highland Council would lead on approaching relevant public and private sectorstakeholders through bodies including the Highland and Islands Forestry Forum and ForestryCommission Scotland.

Monitoring & Review

6.14 The HFWS is a dynamic document, capable of being reviewed and updated as appropriatein response to changing circumstances and priorities.

6.15 An important aspect of the Strategy process is therefore to agree with key public and privatepartners and other stakeholders the responsibilities for maintaining and updating the policycontext and accuracy of the underlying data to the spatial mapping guidance and formonitoring progress towards indicators and targets within the Strategy.

6.16 These modifications can then be fed into periodic reviews in order to keep the Strategyrelevant, responsive and consistent with prevailing Scottish Government and HighlandCouncil policies and strategies over its lifetime.

6.17 The overall HFWS will therefore be reviewed on a five yearly basis in line with SupplementaryGuidance cycles.

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